In this past three years, I've learned an incredible amount of...tips. With all of the amazing advice out there, I decided to #payitforward and show you exactly how many truly confusing and insane "rules" are being touted as Set In Stone Things Authors Should or Shouldn't Do. I'm sure many of you have seen a lot of these and if you've been sitting around, scratching your head or even possibly cussing up a storm--you're not alone. There's no easy way to begin and I'm sure I will miss quite a few, so I'll jump right into it with the bits that frustrate me beyond belief. (Feel free to comment below with your own confusing tips and frustrating tidbits that drive you crazy.)Don't: Express your own opinions UNLESS your opinion coincides with the "majority". You could offend readers and lose your fan base.Don't: Get into ANY conversation about politics or religion UNLESS your point of view agrees with the "majority". You could offend readers and lose your fan base.Don't: Talk about your own personal beliefs of world/current events UNLESS you share the same beliefs with the "majority". You could offend readers and lose your fan base.Don't: Tell people anything truly personal about you, but connect with people on a personal level and grow your fan base.Don't: Have gift card contests for people who have reviewed your book(s) because that "borders on paying for reviews". BUT pay a site such as NetGalley to gather reviews for you.Don't: LOOK at reviews.

**read more here: In this past three years, I've learned an incredible amount of...tips. With all of the amazing advice out there, I decided to #payitforward and show you exactly how many truly confusing and insane "rules" are being touted as Set In Stone Things Authors Should or Shouldn't Do. I'm sure many of you have seen a lot of these and if you've been sitting around, scratching your head or even possibly cussing up a storm--you're not alone. There's no easy way to begin and I'm sure I will miss quite a few, so I'll jump right into it with the bits that frustrate me beyond belief. (Feel free to comment below with your own confusing tips and frustrating tidbits that drive you crazy.)Don't: Express your own opinions UNLESS your opinion coincides with the "majority". You could offend readers and lose your fan base.Don't: Get into ANY conversation about politics or religion UNLESS your point of view agrees with the "majority". You could offend readers and lose your fan base.Don't: Talk about your own personal beliefs of world/current events UNLESS you share the same beliefs with the "majority". You could offend readers and lose your fan base.Don't: Tell people anything truly personal about you, but connect with people on a personal level and grow your fan base.Don't: Have gift card contests for people who have reviewed your book(s) because that "borders on paying for reviews". BUT pay a site such as NetGalley to gather reviews for you.Don't: LOOK at reviews.

Read more here: In this past three years, I've learned an incredible amount of...tips. With all of the amazing advice out there, I decided to #payitforward and show you exactly how many truly confusing and insane "rules" are being touted as Set In Stone Things Authors Should or Shouldn't Do. I'm sure many of you have seen a lot of these and if you've been sitting around, scratching your head or even possibly cussing up a storm--you're not alone. There's no easy way to begin and I'm sure I will miss quite a few, so I'll jump right into it with the bits that frustrate me beyond belief. (Feel free to comment below with your own confusing tips and frustrating tidbits that drive you crazy.)Don't: Express your own opinions UNLESS your opinion coincides with the "majority". You could offend readers and lose your fan base.Don't: Get into ANY conversation about politics or religion UNLESS your point of view agrees with the "majority". You could offend readers and lose your fan base.Don't: Talk about your own personal beliefs of world/current events UNLESS you share the same beliefs with the "majority". You could offend readers and lose your fan base.Don't: Tell people anything truly personal about you, but connect with people on a personal level and grow your fan base.Don't: Have gift card contests for people who have reviewed your book(s) because that "borders on paying for reviews". BUT pay a site such as NetGalley to gather reviews for you.Don't: LOOK at reviews.